Eureka!! I have been thinking about and wondering how to approach the "go to your bed and stay a long time" command, and found this article that others might find useful too. http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/blog/place-command-important-dog/ I like it because it uses a different command than "stay", and I can see how you can generalize this eventually to something other than his bed. Wouldn't it be great to just be able to carry a small washcloth around in your purse, toss it on the ground, give the "place" command, and your dog will stay there until you release?? Now, just have to figure out what to use at first. I think perhaps an old towel....easily portable from room to room, and I can cut it down as the time goes on. And I can put it ON the bed when THAT is where I want him to "place".
Re: The "place" command Ooh liking! I cant actually open the link but think its because I have too many things open, so looking forward to reading once I de clutter...this is our current Indoor Manners project. My friend has recently rescued a nervy wee cat and when me and the dogs go round to visit the poor puss cat scarpers off into the bedroom but is quite happy there which is fine..... unless the pups get rumbuctious and lively. Which they tend to do at friends because its exciting....so we are learning On You Mat which is going well in our own house so far...but i can imagine it being a right pain bringing their big vet bed everywhere so this sounds a useful approach, to be able to send them to a Place.....
Re: The "place" command It's called 'targeting' in obedience and agility - teaching the dog to go and sit at or touch a portable object. A lot of people use a plastic lid that they gradually cut down into a little disc. The cloth idea is a good one. Use a colour that's easily seen by a dog (who doesn't have the same level of colour vision that we have). Something white, bright blue or bright yellow is good. Avoid dark green, orange and red as they just look brown to dogs.
Re: The "place" command Thanks for the tip, Rachel.....scrapping the green towel I was thinking of using.....
